Page 35 of Against All Odds

Besides, when I get home from work, I typically crash. I’m so damn tired after being on my feet and dealing with teenagers.

“I’m absolutely sure of that,” Mrs. Anderson agrees on a laugh. “You were in California, where I’m sure everything was at your fingertips.”

“Yes, that part was nice. I would absolutely love to find a makeup store close.”

Her shoulders shake with her giggle. “I’m afraid that’s impossible, but you can at least get most things delivered.”

I used to get four-hour delivery online. Now it’s four days. “I’m learning to plan a little further ahead.”

She nods. “That is definitely helpful. So, tell me, how are your parents?”

I haven’t really spoken to them since my life went to shit. I did get an email from my mother asking if the news article her friend sent her was true, so I guess that’s something.

“They’re good. They’re on an expedition in South America.” At least the last I heard. In her email she didn’t say anything other than they were hoping to have a call with me soon.

Her knowing eyes narrow just slightly. “They didn’t come home when they heard about your ... situation?”

I shake my head. “You know they don’t do that. It’s fine, though.”

It’s really not. It’s just never going to change. My parents aren’t bad. They just don’t know how to put people before their work. I’ve learned how to deal with it my entire life and expect nothing from anyone.

That was the mistake I made with Dylan. I trusted him, believed that he would put me—us—first.

There was only one person who truly did that, and I threw him away.

“Well, I would love it if you wanted to come visit. Do you still bake?”

“I do.” I smile, remembering that Donna and my grandmother always liked to bake. Donna had a bakery for a while when I was a kid.

“I miss your grandmother. She was my baking buddy.”

“I miss her too.”

“I won’t keep you,” Mrs. Anderson says with a hint of sadness. “I need to get home before Eloise brings the kids over.”

Eloise is Miles’s twin sister, and we never really hung out. She had her own friends, who were the cool kids, and they didn’t like us. Eloise was never mean to any of us—she just didn’t want to spend time with us.

“Eloise has kids?” I ask, surprised. She never seemed as though she liked kids—or people.

Donna smiles. “She does. She has a six-year-old boy and just gave birth to a little girl. She actually married one of Miles’s best friends from the military.”

“Wow.”

“Isn’t it funny how life doesn’t ever go the way we think? However, I think that things work out exactly how they’re supposed to. Don’t you agree?” she asks with a warm smile.

I would love to argue that my life is absolutely not working out the way it was supposed to. Having your marriage end on television isn’t really part of the plan. Still, she appears to believe in that, so I just force myself to nod.

She pats my arm. “It was great to see you. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Great seeing you too.”

I finish my shopping and start my drive home. My phone rings and I see it’s my lawyer. I hope she’s calling to give me the good news that Dylan signed the paperwork. It’s been three and a half weeks since I left, and I was hoping for an expedient divorce.

I should’ve known that Dylan would never do anything to make my life easier.

“Hi, Gail,” I say as I answer her call.

“Hey, Violet, I just wanted to let you know that all of the paperwork is finalized. It just needs to go before the judge,” my lawyer explains.

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